Accountant salary in Chicago, IL
Based on 889 certified H-1B filings in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Oakbrook Terrace, Naperville, Schaumburg, Northbrook, Bolingbrook.
Also listed as: Auditor, Tax Accountant
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $61,152 |
| 25th | $75,000 |
| 50th (median) | $92,000 |
| 75th | $117,832 |
| 90th | $144,420 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $75,165 | $64,447 | $97,875 | 494 |
| FY2021 | $70,493 | $63,000 | $91,164 | 401 |
| FY2022 | $79,373 | $64,709 | $105,000 | 437 |
| FY2023 | $85,000 | $69,000 | $110,000 | 486 |
| FY2024 | $88,110 | $71,240 | $115,249 | 456 |
| FY2025 | $91,186 | $73,299 | $115,000 | 548 |
| FY2026 | $95,000 | $77,000 | $119,000 | 341 |
Cost of living
Chicago's median Accountant salary of $92,000 is worth about $88,800 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Chicago = 103.6).
Compared with all workers here
All Accountants and Auditors in the Chicago, IL area earned a median of $82,360 in May 2025 (41,360 employed). The H-1B median here is $92,000, 12% higher.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Top employers filing
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| EY | $105,380 | 243 |
| Deloitte | $76,772 | 186 |
| Crowe | $80,250 | 22 |
| Grant Thornton Advisors | $125,500 | 21 |
| Kpmg | $107,349 | 19 |
| Nav Consulting | $150,000 | 15 |
| $125,000 | 14 | |
| Bdo | $98,750 | 14 |
| Roth & Company | $61,152 | 11 |
| PwC US Tax | $137,000 | 10 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $62,400 | 236 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $89,430 | 355 |
| Senior · Level III | $125,500 | 137 |
| Expert · Level IV | $128,007 | 155 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $57,262 | $62,400 | 236 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $73,299 | $89,430 | 355 |
| Senior · Level III | $89,336 | $125,500 | 137 |
| Expert · Level IV | $107,349 | $128,007 | 155 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.